Recently, the 2021 International Field Exploration and Development Conference(IFEDC), jointly hosted by Xi'an Shiyou University, China University of Petroleum (East China), and the Shaanxi Petroleum Society, opened in Qingdao. The conference adopted a hybrid format combining both online and offline components and centered around the theme of "Harnessing Monitoring Technologies for Efficient Oil and Gas Development." The conference aimed to explore how artificial intelligence can be used to achieve efficient exploration and development of oil and gas fields from a monitoring technology perspective. The welcoming address was delivered by Vice President Yao Jun of China University of Petroleum (East China), the host institution, and speeches were given by Vice President Zhang Rongjun of Xi'an Shiyou University on behalf of the conference organizers and initiating institutions. The opening ceremony and theme forum were presided over by Dean Zhou Desheng of Xi'an Shiyou University's College of Petroleum Engineering.

Vice President Zhang Rongjun provided a brief overview of Xi'an Shiyou University and the "International Field Exploration and Development." He expressed the hope that this conference would serve as an opportunity to enhance communication among experts and scholars from both domestic and international backgrounds. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between academia and the industry. With technology innovation as a guiding principle, he encouraged the promotion of technological and scientific advancements in the oil and gas sector through academic exchanges, technical discussions, and the showcasing of achievements. This, he believed, would contribute to boosting the vitality of the oil and gas industry.

The conference comprises two main phases. The first phase includes the opening plenary forum and general sessions, while the second phase involves fourteen specialized topic sessions. Key participants in the conference's plenary forum included Xue Yong'an, Vice General Manager and Chief Geologist of CNOOC (China) Limited, Tianjin Branch, and Chairman of the Tianjin Petroleum Society; Lu Dengyun, Chief Expert of Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd.; Hou Yuting, Executive Director of Changqing Oilfield Exploration and Development Research Institute; and Li Dexin, Deputy Manager of the Transmission Engineering Company at Qinghai Oilfield Company.

The proceedings of this conference comprehensively reflect the latest technological developments, including techniques for enhancing the quality of seismic data, dynamic simulation and predictive technologies to increase recovery rates in shale oil production, methods for describing the morphology of fracture networks in tight oil reservoirs, comprehensive reservoir evaluation techniques based on machine learning, rapid simulation models for drilling and production in complex oil and gas reservoirs beyond conventional modeling and numerical simulations, optimization methods for heavy oil extraction, efficient development technologies for complex condensate gas reservoirs, downhole oil-water separation and injection technologies, high-permeability flow channel regulation techniques, and online multiphase flow measurement technologies, among others.

After rigorous evaluation by expert reviewers, the conference selected 153 outstanding papers, including 136 from industry professionals and 17 from students.

This conference has provided a broad and effective platform for academic exchange and collaboration, showcasing research on the latest developments, achievements, and insights in the field of oil and gas exploration. It has delved deeply into critical technological challenges in oil and gas exploration and development. This event holds significant importance in driving technological and scientific innovation in the oil and gas sector and enhancing the industry's vitality.